Worksheet Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA)

Worksheet
Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA)
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
OFFICE: Surprise Field Office (SFO)
TRACKING NUMBER: DOI-BLM-CA-N070-2014-028-DNA
PROPOSED ACTION TITLE/TYPE: Horse Lake Sage-Grouse Habitat Restoration
Project/Juniper Thinning and Slash Burning
LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Horse Lake/ Calcutta Lake Quad: Township 45N Range
20E portions of sections 9 and 16. Mosquito Valley Quad: Township 45N Range 20E portions of
sections 8 and 17.
APPLICANT (if any): This is a cooperative project between Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS), the Horse Lake livestock permittees, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the
SFO Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
A. Description of the Proposed Action and any applicable mitigation measures
The proposed action is to implement a 856 acre juniper reduction project in the Horse Lake
Allotment to reduce juniper encroachment into sage-steppe habitats, reduce juniper cover
adjacent to sage-grouse brood rearing habitat, restore sage-grouse habitat by treating juniper in
sage-steppe plant communities which are declining in vigor as a result of competition, improve
hydrologic conditions, enhance the forage base for wildlife and domestic animals, and reduce
hazardous fuels. The Horse Lake project area lies within the Vya Population Management Unit
(PMU) Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic Environmental
Assessment (EA) analysis area which encompasses BLM lands within the Vya sage-grouse PMU
where juniper is encroaching into sage-steppe habitats on lands managed by SFO BLM.
The project would consist of hand cutting juniper using chainsaws and lop and scatter of the
boles down to a height of less than three feet or less. The 2014 Coleman Fire burned a portion of
the project area (see map below) and the burned trees within the fire boundary of the project will
be cut down to reduce raptor perches. Piling would occur as needed in small portions of the
project to avoid slash interconnecting across the project. Cut trees and piles would then be
burned in place in the portions of the project area where slash is interconnected and precluded
animal movements and restricts understory vegetation access to sunlight. Slash burning will not
exceed 50% of the project area. Slash would be burned in the late fall to winter or early spring.
No temporary roads or trails are permitted as a part of this project. Rest requirements will be
accomplished during the required rest period for the Coleman Fire.
This proposed action incorporates the Standard Resource Protection Measures (SRPM), Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and Mitigation and Monitoring Measures outlined in the Vya
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PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic Environmental Assessment
CA-N070-2013-0016 for the identified project area. Within identified archaeological sites, the
SOP’s and mitigation outlined in the Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project
Programmatic EA CA-N070-2013-0016 will be implemented as determined by the SFO BLM
archaeologist and Field Manager.
B. Conformance with the Land Use Plan (LUP) and Consistency with Related Subordinate
Implementation Plans
LUP Name Surprise Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS)
Date Approved
April 2008
Other Document Sage-Steppe Ecosystem Restoration Strategy and FEIS
Date Approved
December 2008
Other Document Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic EA
Date Approved
August 2013
The proposed action is in conformance with the applicable LUPs because it is specifically
provided for in the following LUP decisions:
2008 SFO RMP FEIS.

Section 2.22, Wildlife and Fisheries (2-92): “Conduct juniper reduction programs to
enhance species composition and understory vegetation, and provide structural and ageclass diversity in sagebrush ecosystems.”

Section 2.6, Fuels Management (2-29): “Long-term restoration projects and fuel treatment
plans would be developed to produce and maintain healthy ecosystems by reducing
hazardous fuel build-up on a landscape level […] to protect high-risk communities, [and]
improve wildlife habitat.”

Section 2.22.6.4 Proposed Management Actions for Group 4- Sagebrush Obligate and
Associated Species: “Implement the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan for Nevada
and Eastern California, First Edition (2004), including the Vya and Massacre
Conservation Strategies.”

Section 2.22.6.4 Proposed Management Actions for Group 4-Sagebrush Obligate and
Associated Species: “Implement strategies and actions from “Partners in Flight—Birds in
a Sagebrush Sea” and other BLM approved conservation plans specifically developed for
this biome.”
2008 Sage Steppe Ecosystem Restoration Strategy Final Environmental Impact Statement
(SSERS FEIS).
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
Proposed Action (p. iii): “create an integrated, landscape-scale management Restoration
Strategy that restores the sage steppe ecosystem across a 6.5 million acre Analysis Area.
[…] The treatments would require site-specific environmental analysis to meet the
objectives of the proposed Restoration Strategy and obtain federal agency approval prior
to implementation.”
.
C. Identify applicable National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and other
related documents that cover the proposed action.
The Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project EA references and is tiered to the
2008 SFO RMP FEIS and the 2008 SSER FEIS.

DOI-BLM-CA-N070-2013-0016-EA Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction
Project Programmatic EA- August 2013
List by name and date other documentation relevant to the proposed action (e.g., biological
assessments, biological opinions, watershed assessments, allotment evaluations, or monitoring
reports).
Table 1. Pre-project Date completed
Clearances for the
(name of project)
Clearance / Survey
Type
Noxious Weed Survey October 30, 2013
Responsible
person(s)
Reference (if
applicable)
Andrew Mueller/
Scott Soletti
Amy Thorson/ Scott
Soletti
Horse Lake Project
Noxious Weed Survey
Horse Lake Special
Status Plant Species
survey and pretreatment data
collection
Botany – Special
Status Plant Species/
T&E Survey
September 22, 2014
Botany Consultation
Wildlife – Surveys
N/A
October 30, 2013
N/A
Andrew Mueller/
Scott Soletti
Wildlife – Habitat
Assessment
October 30, 2013
Andrew Mueller/
Scott Soletti
T&E Wildlife
Consultation
Slope Stability
Assessment
Stream Surveys
N/A
N/A
N/A
Horse Lake Project
Wildlife and T&E
Survey
Horse Lake Project
Wildlife and T&E
Survey
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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Site-specific BMPs
Identified
Cultural Resources
Surveys
September 12, 2014
ID Team
September 24, 2014
Jen Rovanpera
Cultural Resources
Consultation
Fort Bidwell
September 13, 2014
Jen Rovanpera
Incorporated into DR
from Vya EA
Horse Lake Project
Section 106
Archaeological
Survey
Horse Lake Project
Tribal Consultation
Notes
Cedarville Rancheria
June 17, 2014
Summit Lake
July 19, 2014
D. NEPA Adequacy Criteria
1. Is the new proposed action a feature of, or essentially similar to, an alternative analyzed
in the existing NEPA document(s)? Is the project within the same analysis area, or if the
project location is different, are the geographic and resource conditions sufficiently similar
to those analyzed in the existing NEPA document(s)? If there are differences, can you
explain why they are not substantial?
Yes. The Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project EA analyzed the proposed
project area within the Horse Lake Allotment. The EA identified the 606 acres within the Horse
Lake Allotment for juniper treatment of which all 606 acres are suitable for hand treatment and
pile burning. The Proposed Action which consists of hand cutting juniper and then burning trees
in place and burning piles is included in that analysis area. The EA considered juniper reduction
projects within the identified area to improve the vigor and health of sage-steppe plant
communities for improvement of sage-steppe species habitats and for reducing fuels and the risk
of a large catastrophic wildfire. The Proposed Action includes implementing the treatments that
were identified for this area in the 2013 Vya PMU Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction
Project Programmatic EA based on the known conditions and resource concerns.
2. Is the range of alternatives analyzed in the existing NEPA document(s) appropriate with
respect to the new proposed action, given current environmental concerns, interests, and
resource values?
Yes. The EA analyzed an appropriate range of alternatives given the purpose and need for the
project. Two alternatives were analyzed in detail: (1) Proposed Action, (2) No Action. In
addition, three alternatives were considered by the SFO BLM staff but dismissed from detailed
analysis due to not meeting the purpose and need (See EA, section 2.3 page 36). The selected
alternative is Alternative 1, the Proposed Action as described in the Vya PMU Habitat
Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic EA, which identified a range of different
treatments across the landscape. The 606 acre project area in Horse Lake Allotment was
identified for hand treatment and pile burning in that EA. No new environmental concerns,
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interests, resource values, or circumstances have been revealed since the EA was published in
2013 that would indicate a need for additional alternatives.
3. Is the existing analysis valid in light of any new information or circumstances (such as,
rangeland health standard assessment, recent endangered species listings, and updated lists
of BLM-sensitive species)? Can you reasonably conclude that new information and new
circumstances would not substantially change the analysis of the new proposed action?
Yes. No new information or circumstances have arisen since the EA was published in 2013 that
would affect the adequacy of the analysis. The effects analysis regarding impacts to wildlife and
cultural resources was extensive and appropriate for the type of landscape and project comprising
the Horse Lake Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project, in that the type of treatment
needed to implement the project is consistent with what was anticipated in the EA (pp. 11-21).
Effects analysis in the EA regarding impacts to native sage-steppe wildlife remains adequate and
no species were found during field surveys that require additional analysis. The project is not
expected to contribute to noxious weed invasions and SOP’s from the Vya PMU Habitat
Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic EA are adequate to ensure the project
does not result in new noxious weed infestations. The treatment prescription which consists of
hand cutting and pile burning trees in place is appropriate based on the known resources within
the project area and is a treatment prescription that was anticipated in the EA. Based on the
Section 106 archaeological surveys, the proposed action is not expected to have any adverse
effects to cultural resources and the treatment type and SRPM’s for the project are appropriate
based on the known resources within the project area. Effects of the project are within the scope
of what was anticipated in the EA.
4. Are the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects that would result from implementation of
the new proposed action similar (both quantitatively and qualitatively) to those analyzed in
the existing NEPA document?
Yes. The EA describes cumulative impacts to the entire Vya Sage-Grouse PMU and the effects
that implementation of juniper reduction projects would have on vegetation, sage-steppe wildlife
species, T&E species, cultural resources, riparian/wetland sites, socio-economics and livestock
producers within the project area. Impacts from implementing the Horse Lake Habitat
Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project would fall within those impacts analyzed and
anticipated in the EA. The models and analyses used in the EA to predict impacts on the
resource impacted by the proposed action remain current and appropriate at the landscape scale.
The analysis of effects to sage-grouse and the proposed project is consistent with BLM policy
and interim management guidance contained in IM 2012-043. No new research has come to light
regarding effects that juniper reduction projects have to sage-grouse or other affected resources
that would require additional analyses. Special status plant surveys and noxious weed surveys
were conducted on the project area. One species of noxious weeds was identified within the
project area. The species of noxious weed that was identified during the noxious weeds survey
was bull thistle, a low priority noxious weed. No special status plant species were found during
special status plant species survey and pre-treatment data collection. Wildlife and T&E surveys
were also conducted within the project area. No special status species were discovered during the
field surveys that were not discussed and analyzed in the EA. Archaeological surveys were
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completed in 2014 and the proposed project is not expected to have an adverse effect on cultural
resources.
The EA analysis included typical effects that would be expected at the site-specific level and
identified SRMP’s and SOP’s that would be implemented as needed depending on site-specific
conditions. There is no indication that implementing the Horse Lake Habitat Restoration and
Fuels Reduction Project would result in different environmental effects than those anticipated in
the EA.
5. Are the public involvement and interagency review associated with existing NEPA
document(s) adequate for the current proposed action?
Yes. The Horse Lake Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction project is within the Vya PMU
Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic EA planning area, which went
through extensive public scoping prior to and during the development of the EA. Collaboration
included representatives from Tribes, local representatives from Federal and State agencies, local
governments, landowners, permittees, other interested persons, community-based groups, and
other nongovernmental organizations. Two scoping letters were sent out to identified interested
publics. The first public scoping of the Proposed Action went out via mailings to interested
members of the public on November 10, 2011. The second public scoping of the Proposed
Action went out via mailings to interested members of the public on March 6, 2013. A Draft
Environmental Assessment and unsigned FONSI were sent out for a 30 day public comment
period and review on June 26, 2013. Comment analysis from the scoping period for the EA and
unsigned FONSI was included in the Decision Record that was signed on August 21, 2013.
On August 29, 2014 The SFO BLM sent out a scoping letter for the Horse Lake Restoration and
Fuels Reduction project. No comments were received during the public scoping period.
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E. Persons/Agencies/BLM Staff Consulted
Name
Resource/Activities
Title
Authorizing Officer
Heather Whitman
Acting Field Office Manager
Casey Boespflug
Fire/Fuels Specialist
Elias Flores
Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist
Scott Soletti
Wildlife Biologist/Noxious Weed
Coordinator
Steve Surian
Supervisory Rangeland Management
Specialist
Steve Mathews
Rangeland Management Specialist
Jennifer Rovenpera
Archaeologist
Dan Ryan
Lands/Realty/Recreation Specialist
Shawn Thornton
GIS Specialist
Andrew Mueller
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife)
Amy Thorson
Chicago Botanical Intern
Fire and Fuels Management,
Fuel Wood Utilization, Air
Quality
Riparian/Water Quality
Wildlife, T&E Fauna, Migratory
Birds, Noxious Weeds, Global
Climate Change, Vegetation,
T&E Flora
Wild Horses, Soils, Livestock
Management
Livestock Management
Cultural Resources,
Paleontology, Native American
Religious Concerns
Recreation, VRM,
Socioeconomics, Wilderness
GIS, Maps
Wildlife, T&E Fauna, Migratory
Birds, and Noxious Weeds
Vegetation and T& E Flora
Conclusion (If you found that one or more of these criteria is not met, you will not be able to
check this box.)
 Based on the review documented above, I conclude that this proposal conforms to the
applicable land use plan and that the NEPA documentation fully covers the proposed action and
constitutes BLM’s compliance with the requirements of the NEPA.
/s/ Scott Soletti
Signature of Project Lead
/s/ Steve Surian
Signature of NEPA Coordinator
/s/ Heather Whitman
Signature of the Responsible Official:
/s/ 09/30/2014
Date
Note: The signed Conclusion on this Worksheet is part of an interim step in the BLM’s internal
decision process and does not constitute an appealable decision. However, the lease, permit, or other
authorization based on this DNA is subject to protest or appeal under 43 CFR Part 4 and the programspecific regulations.
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